Buying a house on ESA

Hi all, slightly unusual question I guess. I am currently on ESA and PIP following a stroke. No problem there, it took a while but I ended up with the benefits.
I have recently come into some inheritance money, enough to buy a small house. Coincentally I am shortly going to become homeless and therefore need to find somewhere else to live.
As far as I can see I can either tell the DWP about the inheritance and no doubt lose all benefits while I rent somewhere and basically live off the inheritance money until it runs out in a few years and then start the whole routine again of putting in a new claim.
Or could I use the inheritance money to buy myself a new house to live in. It would mean most , if not all, of the money would be gone and I would basically be in the same position as now, i.e. living in my own house on benefits.
Would the DWP take the view that I should of eeked out the inheritance money rather than blow it all on a house purchase?
Any advice?
Replies
Has this Money been paid into your account if so I could prove awkward and advise the above I wrote. I know other here will give you further advice and help you understand a little more which way to turn.
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You can see the video here.
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Happy house hunting if you decide to go down that route.
Yes, there is an issue as you suggest with receiving money and going out to buy a house with it. The issue is that as the government sees it you are wanting to carry on getting a means-tested benefit when you could have supported yourself for a long time using the capital.
(Obviously there are lots of counter arguments to that view, for example, the government is happy to pay you thousands of £s in housing benefit instead, whereas if yo buy property you won't need that housing benefit etc etc).
The issue outlined in paragraph one here is called " Deliberate disposal of capital" - and the problem as the DWP sees it, is that a person has got rid of capital in order to get more or some means-tested benefit from the state.
it is different if someone leaves you money in a trust that has trustees and that you cannot access on your own. And it is different if you sell the house you live in and use that money to buy another house.
This is a minefield and many people don't get the benefit of inherited money because of these rules.
You do need advice, as it sounds like this has already happened, in that you expect to receive some money imminently. Might I suggest that you call our helpline for initial advice, and/ or see a solicitor.
Gill_Scope
Benefit sand Finance information Specialist
Scope Helpline
Tel: 0808 800 3333